The tension within the majority and government is on the rise due to the superbonus amendment and the introduction of the sugar tax in July. Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti is trying to control the avalanche of construction bonuses that are increasing public debt, while Forza Italia leader Antonio Tajani is concerned about the retroactivity that affects businesses and financial institutions. Tajani is particularly worried about the detraction over ten years imposed from the beginning of 2024, affecting already defined situations. There is also criticism regarding banks not being able to offset superbonus credits with social security debts.
The political tension escalates with the introduction of a ‘nighttime’ amendment, leading to further controversy early in the morning. Tajani expresses the need for clarity regarding the new text on the superbonus, ensuring careful attention. He plans to consult with representatives from various categories, aligning himself with the concerns of Confindustria and businesses regarding the ten-year detractions totaling nearly 12 billion euros between 2024 and 2025. He also raises concerns for banks, highlighting the impact of the sudden change preventing financial institutions from offsetting superbonus credits with social security debts.
The dispute between Tajani and Giorgetti deepens as they trade remarks on the amendment. Tajani questions the parliamentary vote, implying that improvements could be made to the current draft. He emphasizes the need to ensure that the amendment respects the fundamental rules of legal civilization before voting on it in parliament. This internal conflict within the executive branch provides ammunition for the opposition, with Francesco Boccia of the Democratic Party criticizing the Minister of Economy for the lack of credibility and constant reversals, predicting chaos and complications with minimal resources allocated for seismic areas and environmental projects in 2025.
Elly Schlein, the Democratic Party leader, expresses concern over the conflicting statements within the government, which lead to uncertainty and chaos surrounding issues such as superbonus and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. While the President of ANCE, Federica Brancaccio, tempers the situation by suggesting that the impact of the text may be less significant than feared, consumer protection association Codacons condemns the retroactive implications of the amendment, stating that it affects millions of citizens who have undertaken or planned construction works during the period in question. The controversy also extends to the implementation of the plastic and sugar tax, with some sectors requesting corrections and adjustments to the initial plan.
In the evening, the debate intensifies as a clear stance is taken by Forza Italia, critiquing the lack of prior consultation on the sugar tax issue and emphasizing the party’s long-standing opposition to the measure. The party reiterates the need for a postponement of the sugar tax, a position previously agreed upon with the majority and the government during the approval of the budget law. The ongoing disagreements within the majority and government over these economic measures highlight the challenges of reaching consensus on fiscal policies and the importance of thorough deliberation and consultation before implementing significant changes.
